Freshmen Year High School

Annabeth: 15 years old

The day started out normal enough, Annabeth went through her classes, hanged out with her friends at lunch and, once again aced their Latin test in Mr. Brunner's class.

"Looks like wise girl strikes again," Clarisse teased and her goons laughed.

"Leave her alone Clarrise," Jason stood up for Annabeth and shot Clarrise his signature glare.

Jason was one of Annabeth's closest friends since elementary school along with Piper and Thalia. She hasn't told anyone yet but she had a huge crush on him since 5th grade. Every time he smiled at her with his perfect teeth and look with his sky blue eyes, always seemed to melt her problems away. He always protected them from bullies and kept them out of trouble because of his 'good-boy' attitude. He may not be that good with jokes but he can always lighten up their mood by just being himself.

She didn't notice herself staring at him until he met her eye and he smiled back at her. Annabeth's eyes widened and she immediately turned back to her paper, she felt butterflies in her stomach and her face heat up.

She mentally scolded herself, "Don't be crazy Annabeth, he'll never fall for you."

Because Jason was the handsomest guy in their batch, every girl she knew of has a crush on him or has madly fallen for him, even her best friend Piper. Well with his good looks, kind spirit, and charming personality, who wouldn't? Almost everyday she can hear girls talking about how Jason looks so cute when he's playing basketball or how they were going to ask Jason to the school dance. Meanwhile, there was Annabeth. The know-it-all girl, the smart aleck, the girl who wears dorky glasses and dorky clothes, and can't even talk to boys properly. Why would Jason like her?

But after school that day, something made her chances look up. She was walking home when she heard someone call her name, when she looked back she was surprised to see Jason running up to her, sweaty and flushed. Seeing him like that made her heart flutter uncontrollably.

"Ugh, why do you look so cute Jace?" Annabeth gritted her teeth.

"Whoa big guy, why are you so winded?" She asked as he catches his breath.

"Nothing, I just saw you walking alone after basketball practice and thought you could use the company."

"You didn't have to do that for me," She said.

"It's fine Annabeth. My house is just a few blocks away from yours and I thought I could cheer you up 'cause you did look pretty down after Mr. Brunner's class."

"Yeah well you know how Clarrise is," She shrugged plainly as they started walking.

"You don't have to mind her, she's just jealous of you."

"Me? Clarrise is one of the richest kids in school because her dad has led and won plenty of wars for our country. So why will she be jealous of me?"

"Because unlike her, your dad is always home with you but Clarrise only sees her dad once or twice a year. Not to mention, you're sweet, nice, and most importantly you're the smartest girl I know." He beamed at her again and she elbowed him playfully so he won't see her blush.

The sun was already setting by the time we arrived at Annabeth's house, the lights on their front porch were off so it must mean her dad was busy polishing his Sopwith Camel model in the basement and he forgot to turn it on.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

"I guess so," she smiled at him before reaching for the doorknob.

"Uhm, Annabeth?" She heard him say.

Annabeth turned back to him, "Yes?"

"C-can... uh... w-we meet t-tomorrow, after school," he almost choked which was surprised me, because Jason Grace never stutters.

She frowned, "Is something wrong?"

He looks in the verge of dying in embarrassment while scratching the back of his neck, "I n-need to tell y-you something... important."

Her eyes widened and she gulped when I heard him say that. "Is it possible that-...No! No Annabeth, don't be a wishful thinker."

"Why can't you tell me now?" I coaxed him.

"Uhhhh."

And right at that moment, the door opened and a woman peered at the doorway.

"MOM!" Annabeth almost yelled in shock.

She looked at me skeptically then glanced behind me, "Hi, Jason."

He grinned shyly, "Good evening, Mrs. Chase."

"How's your mom?"

"Oh," he grimaced for a moment, "She's...improving."

Her mom looked at him sympathetically, "Well, tell her to take care and be careful yourself."

"I will. Thank you, Mrs. Chase," he smiled back at her, "Night, Annabeth."

"Goodnight," she said.

That night, Annabeth tossed and turned on her bed for hours thinking about what will Jason say to her. He look pretty nervous about it and she knows for one thing that boys act that way only when they're gonna confess something. And so she decided, that she'll do the same and tell him what she really felt about him...that conclusion finally let her mind relax and her eyes close into a deep sleep.

Next day after school...

Jason told Annabeth that he will meet her under the bleachers by the football stadium. Annabeth and Thalia were watching Piper in her cheerleading practice when Annabeth got a text that Jason was already waiting for her.

"Hey, Thals? I just gotta go to the restroom for a minute," I told her.

"Uhm-hmm," Thalia mumbled but I think she didn't hear me much. She had earphones plugged in her ears and she was too busy playing a game on her iPod.

Annabeth ran down the bleachers and went behind, she saw Jason gazing at the cheerleaders from the small space between the steps, so she had to clear her throat for him to notice her.

"Oh! Hi, Annabeth." He turned to her and quickly hid his hands behind his back.

"Hey, Jason," she walked closer to him and asked, "So what's this about?"

"Right, right. I've already told you that I need to tell you something."

"Jason...I-," she hesitated, "I-I need to tell you something too."

"Really," his eyebrows shot up, "Well, me first."

"Sure."

"Okay, here goes," he took a deep breath.

"Come on! Just. Say. It." Annabeth bit her lip.

"Do you think you can help me catch... Piper's attention."

And with that, the world just stopped. Annabeth could barely hear what Jason was saying because of the ringing in her ears.

"I mean...you are her best friend, right? And I was wondering if you could be like a...like a wingman or a wingwoman or something. And...uh, Annabeth? Hey, Annabeth."

She snapped back from her thoughts when he shook her shoulders. Despite the tears welling up for her in her eyes, she forced a brave smile.

"Sure, absolutely. I'll help you," she sniffed.

"Wait, are you crying?" He asked in concern.

"No, no, no. It's just that, what I was gonna say to you is...," I wiped my cheek when a tear fell down.

"Yeah?" Jason prodded, still concerned.

Annabeth exhaled hard, "I was going to say that Piper really likes you too."

"Really," his face lit up and his smile kinda made up for what she felt right now.

"Yeah," she continued, "I'm just so happy for her, especially when she hears about this."

"Wow, this is great." Jason ran his fingers through his hair in delight.

"It sure is," Annabeth muttered.

It didn't take too long for the two to become a couple and one of the best looking couples in their school at that. They still keep in touch with Annabeth to let them know how they're still happy together and all that stuff. Annabeth had moved on quicker than she expected. Then, she met Chris Rodriguez.